Working time of lorry and coach drivers:
Commission sends reasoned opinion to the
Netherlands

The European Commission today sent a reasoned
opinion to the Netherlands for its failure to comply with European social rules
for lorry and coach drivers. This is the last step before a formal
complaint is sent to the Court of Justice.

Directive 2002/15/EC concerns the organisation of total working time of
persons performing mobile road transport activities (essentially lorry and coach
drivers). The Directive limits the maximum period of work to 48 hours a week
over a reference period of maximum six months. The Dutch measures transposing
this piece of European law allow, however, a maximum average weekly working time
of 55 hours. The Dutch law is therefore not in conformity with the requirements
of the Directive.